ISLAMABAD: Citing the fact that terrorists use motorcycles to conduct target killings and other terror related activities, Interior Minister Rehman Mailk declared that city wide bans on motorbikes will be imposed in Karachi and Quetta on Friday, Express News reported.
Announcing a number of security measures for first Muharram, Malik explained that the extreme steps were being taken in light of intelligence reports. The ban will remain in effect from 6 am to 7 pm on November 16.
The ministry also issued shoot at sight orders for those who are found involved in terrorist activities.
Malik further added that display of all kinds of weapons will be banned in Karachi.
He added that all platoons of FC will be on duty in Karachi on Friday.
Law enforcement agencies have been further directed to crackdown on vehicles plying without complete registration papers.
Cellular services to go down again
The government has decided in principle to suspend cell phone services in “some cities” after receiving intelligence reports that terrorists may attempt to target religious places in Karachi, Quetta and other sensitive areas, even as interior minister claimed a decision on the subject will be taken early on Friday morning.
The decision reportedly taken on the request of provincial governments on the eve of Moharram.
“Mobile phone services can also be suspended if needed,” Malik said. The minister added that the decision was made in light of terror threats in the mentioned cities.
“Decision to suspend cellular phone services was taken on the request of provincial governments,” added a senior official of the National Terrorism Counter Authority who corroborated the decision to implement a ban.
It is an attempt to ensure security in sensitive areas of Balochistan as well as to detect terrorists’ acts in Karachi, Quetta and other sensitive parts of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, officials said. The cellular service providers have also been directed to remain alert for shutting off services from November 23 to November 25, they added.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is ready to act as receives directions from Interior Ministry to cut off cellular phone services, said a spokesperson of PTA. “PTA has been kept on alert beforehand so that action can be taken promptly. We can not disclose the certain areas and schedule or duration of cellular services suspension due to security reasons.”
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Motorcycles are very useful machines that can be used conveniently for making ends meet but sadly though, these machines are instead used for terrible crimes which may endanger the lives of many people. So I believe that this decision is for the best.
I guess we should not go into Shia Sunni debate on this forum. Being part of minority in Pakistan, I guess both majority sects are doing the same thing so let's not blame other for an act you guys do by your self.
@ Disgusted:
Are you a grade 2 child, being happy on completing the sentence in your test? If you were a l'll mature, your answere would be much different! Shias block the road and forcefully close the markets :) No, it's not always shias, it's the old & discarded security system personnels who do this, and even suppose shias doing it, they've a right to do so, in fact every community has a right to do every measure to save them-self from the genocide!
Do you know how much business do the Shia Community give to Pakistan in the month of Muharram alone? If you already know then I want you to write the figure in block letters here. If not and you're smart enough, then do a research. Even if you come up with the figure of a single town, it would be enough to believe that you've attained some maturity and not see things on the surface only!
As an expat, I see Rehman Malik and all sitting Ministers a great threat to my beloved country. Should I excpect Pakistani people to ban them in the next general Elections????? I wonder!!!!! :S
Was it a serious order or a prank by Rehman Malik? One wonders what and who keeps him in his job! He should attend seriously to the job of curbing terorism, not curbing the economy and with it the people's livelihoods. What or who prevents you from de-weaponising Karachi, Rehman Malik?
@ Hairaan:
:) Is that your answer? And what is the truth? Your own wahabi version? I can start a debate here but I know it's of no use. Instead of making childish comments, bring some substantial ideas & solutions. I can only see fallacies in your statements, hence there's no point in responding them.
Lakum deenukum, waliya deen
@Syeda: Let me complete your sentence
"This is not a Wahabi Kingdom but Islamic Democracy, where every sect has a right to practice their rituals and disturb everyone else and block the roads and forcefully close the markets and make people living around house arrested...."
@Syeda: Thruth really hurts. Humm.
@ Hairaan. This is no place to prove what it bida and what is an allowed act, otherwise I'd have prove the eligibility of the commemoration of the event of Ashura here. There're various sources to have your research completed on it but if you're not interested in that. We've a suggestion for you like you've been giving out to other people.
You may go and live your life in Saudi Arabia in peace and a bida free state and also take those with you who you're advocating for.
This is not a Wahabi Kingdom but Islamic Democracy, where every sect has a right to practice their rituals!
ok now i get it cell phones riding around on motorbikes are what is killing upto 15 people in karachi daily. So we will ban cell phones and motorbikes. Then the killers will use cars then we'll ban those too (based on the colour and make) So in summary we are not planning to be tough on crime, ban guns, reduce secterian strife or make the justice system work or get the police to do anything except stand around at a crime scene after an event happens
Suppose if world trade center was in Pakistan and the planes hit on it then Pakistani government only blocks mobile phone services and bans pillion-riding on motor bikes because Pakistani leaders can't find any solutions and and can't implement them effectively,sternly,permanently and strongly besides creating difficulties and problems for the nation on every occasion and mishap and shamefully they claim that we have achieved the targets and failed the negative designs of the terrorists......
Suppose if world trade center was in Pakistan and the planes hit on it then Pakistani government only blocks mobile phone services and bans pillion-riding on motor bikes......
@Haider Shah: @Syeda Prayers in the mosque including Jumma are Obligatory (Fard) whereas rituals like Muharram and Eid e milad are innovations (Bida) period
I guess Mr. Malik will end up banning all Pakistanis. Ban on Pakistanis for living in Pakistan.
So you guys think its Rehman Malik's own decision? Out of nowhere? C'mon!!!
@Hairaan: why don't you go pack your bags rather telling others to leave.
This move is completely un-called for, if the country can not handle rally's then they should be band.. people who own cars and large business will not suffer for a days wage, but people who comute by bikes ( the ones who actually suffer through these blasts ) are the ones who get affected by it the most. The government find it really easy for themselves to make such moves, as 80% of the security is provided for their protocol and THEIR safety measures, while its US who suffer. Whoever is behind this just a message from the public that it is not making it look like you care about us, its just making us hate this govt more.
Every Ceremonies should be offers just in Religious premises only according to their Tariquah. So that others lives must be go normally without any inconvenience. I am not talking for any single Community but its for every one,every Muslim, Every Sect of ISLAM.
Best Regard, Nazim
Ban Rehman Malik for one day, all problems will be solved.
On related news US banned all flights and use of knives and box cutters all across US on Sep 11 anniversary. Thousands of passengers are stranded at airports, people can't cook food at homes and restaurants. US public is cursing Rehman Malik because he started the trend and put idea in US government's mind.
Muslims as a whole need to learn to live together peacefully. A non-Muslim friend of mine, speaking about the born-again Muslims who have resorted to jihad against all and sundry, and whom the government and most of us call Extremists, remarked: How can they claim to work for and unite the Muslims ummah, when they cannot even tolerate fellow Muslims in their own lands, on one pretedt or another? It is a historical paradox that the people who claim to love God whom they have not seen, cannot love their brother human beings whom they have seen and with whom they live and interact daily!!
//The shia community should call off all their rituals and let the city and its poor people continue earn their bread and butter in normal and peaceful way. These ritual can hardly be called Islamic if they a source of so much inconvenience and hardship for other fellow Muslims and citizens.//
I am guessing that you are not a Shia.
How about I request you to stop Namaaz-e-Jumma everywhere because this not-Farq ritual can hardly be called Islamic if it is a source of so much inconvenience and hardship for other fellow Muslims and citizens.
Very good move, considering the police is totally useless, bikes should be banned from Karachi permanently since there is no registration and tracking system for them.
All those who drive cars and don't have to face the problem which bikers will face are supporting the ban!! If you can't do anything for others then at least think for others..
Welcum decision by Rahman Malik .. Allah bless him ...
All outdoor religious, cultural, political processions and meetings including PTI concerts should be banned. Anyone want to hold relgious or political activity should hold them indoors and under their own private security. Police if required should be paid by organizers for their services.
The cellular phone companies had a huge amount (billions) to pay in tax. This issue is still outstanding and not settled as appeard in the print media some time back................Is this in some way connected or is this a case of 2 + 2 = 22 ? Just a thought.
@Faiz:
crazy poeple do not even have skills to deal with these kind of situtations
Guys there are times when it is stupid but i feel in this certain situation it maybe a good option to do what he has ordered. A better option would have been to cut off cellular services in certain sensitive parts of the city but yeah.
The number of casualties increases manifold in Karachi during the visit of Rehman Malik, Raja Rental or Asif Zardari... Why doesn't someone in the government ban their entry in Karachi to maintain peace??? Else, why don't they simply go away from Pakistan forever!!
Rehman Malik and cronies are creating history by issuing stupid order
@Arif:
Not only Moharram my dear all days are for all Muslims.
@Syed:
Then please go and live in America.
When Govt. is not interested in punishing the culprits, then banning motor bikes may be a good alternative, as it will certainly reduce terrorist acts (shooting, snatching) to a great extent. I would also say, riding motor bikes is way more dangerous as there is a greater risk of accident. Seeing the increasing daily terrorist acts in Karachi, I would suggest to the authorities to conceive and develop mass transit system of international standards in this city as an alternate to riding motor bikes.
@ Hairaan :
i dont know if you are bro or a sis , whatever you are ! Azadari is a procession not a ceremony which can be held indoors.
and let me clear another misconception, the term used for ImamBargah isnt the replacement of mosque, its the name of the community center that includes the mosque for the prayer and a big hall for milaad/majalis etc
BAN rehman malik...
The Americans and their government doesn't have a problem with processions. Just like that all the Western government don't have a problem either. Its a problem though for the other sect. They either resort to violence or they just want to ban it completely because they think its all about them. The processions are there to commemorate the sacrifice that saved our religion. How many shias were there after Karbala? few thousands? how many have been persecuted for the last 1400 and still being killed yet there are azadar of Imam Hussain (a.s) everywhere in the world. The message of Imam Hussain (a.s.) has reached millions of people aur poet nay kiya sahi kaha hai:
Insaan ko beydaar to ho lainay do Har Qaum pukare gi hamaray hain Hussain (a.s.)
@GhostRider: Tell me why do people have to close their business and shut their shops to allow Shias to take their processions on the busiest roads of Karachi and other cities? Why cant these rituals be carried our indoors should these be so important.
ET, its ok, post my comments already. thanks
All religions/sects should voluntaily stop processions which has nothing to do with religion. These processions started long time after the holy prophet and is more cultural than religious and you don't see them any where in the world ecept Shia dominated countries. To counter them Sunnies started thier own processions in India and Pakistan and is not seen any where else in any sunni dominated country. Pl.stop all processions in everybody's interest.There are many better ways to express your religious attachments. The mullahs don't want to stop because they become important and prominent on those occasions
how stupid ! this isnt the solution. even as a shia muslim i want to say , this is an inhuman act, everyone will suffer now , even majority which goes in majalis or jalos etc use motorbikes . this is not the first time we are threatened ! we have survived 1400 years , all of us should force mr.malik to revert
@Hairaan: Spoke my mind!
@Hairaan This all is not because of the shias but the Youm-e-Farooq day tomorrow by terrorists outfits SSP/LeJ.
Instead of arresting these terrorists,Government prefer to shut the whole city by banning bike riding/mobile services.
ET: There is another braking news that in addition to the Bike, the cell phone service will also be banned tomorrow from 6am to 7pm.
Please update your news.
Thanks.
The moharram days are not for just shia community. The moharram days are for all muslims who believe in Allah , his prophet and Al-Muhammad (PBUH)
Yes, we should abandon all rituals! Extending your logic, I think it would be wise to call off Friday prayer congregations and fasting too...
Just today my boss has ordered the Office Security Guard that don't let any one inside the office if someone is late by 10:30am.
I go to my office on a Motorbike like most of my colleagues.
Mr. Rehman Malik has ordered that no one will drive the Motorcycle tomorrow from 6am to 7pm.
This means that tomorrow will be a complete holiday for me as well as for all of my colleagues.
Happy Holiday, Its going to be another break for my family members.
The shia community should call off all their rituals and let the city and its poor people continue earn their bread and butter in normal and peaceful way. These ritual can hardly be called Islamic if they a source of so much inconvenience and hardship for other fellow Muslims and citizens.
Rehman Malik Ka Pakistan !
Ban youtube, ban pillion ridding, ban selling SIMs, ban religious freedom for non-muslims, ban motorcycles .. I wonder what's next?
ban oxygen for few days as well
Good. I can let my brothers and sister suffer a bit vs. losing their lives to these monsters.
BAN Bikes until Ashura is over.
Imam Hussain's (a.s.) followers are remembering Him and His Great sacrifice that saved Islam. Yazeed's follower are trying to silence them. They failed 1400 years ago and they will always fail.